Boston Celtics, Jazz tied in NBA draft lottery

BOSTON — Fans can finally stop trying to figure out if they want the Celtics to win to improve their record or to lose to improve their lottery chances. Their season is finally over.

The Celtics closed their season with a 118-102 loss to Washington Wednesday before a sold-out Garden.

The Celtics lost 11 of their last 13 games to finish 25-57, the third-worst record in their 68-year history. Nevertheless, fans at the Garden were chanting "Let's go, Celtics" late in the game with Washington leading by more than 20 points.

The Celtics finished tied with Utah for the NBA's fourth-worst record and fourth-best lottery chance after the Jazz won in double overtime, 136-130.

The lottery will be held on May 20, and the NBA Draft will be June 26.

The Celtics missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Rajon Rondo is the only member of that 2006-07 team who is still playing for the Celtics.

Washington moved ahead of Brooklyn and finished as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards will open their first playoff series since 2008 against Chicago. Brooklyn sat many of its regulars and lost at Cleveland to fall to the sixth seed and will avoid playing the Bulls, who eliminated them last year. The Nets will play Toronto.

Rookie Kelly Olynyk led the Celtics with 24 points. Jeff Green scored 20, Avery Bradley had 18, and Brandon Bass had 16 before sitting out the fourth quarter with a foot injury.

Stevens said Rondo pulled his hamstring late in the third quarter at Philadelphia on Monday and felt well enough to return that night, but not enough to play Wednesday.

The Celtics started Bradley, Green, Bass, Olynyk and Phil Pressey, the same starting five that won at Cleveland on Saturday.

After the first quarter, the Celtics introduced a group of Boston Marathon bombing survivors, some with prosthetic limbs, at center court. Later in the half, doctors and nurses who treated the marathon victims were recognized.

Even though he didn't play, Rondo wore sneakers inscribed with Boston Strong, the date of last year's marathon, April 15, 2013, and the initials of the marathon victims.

Bass honored

Bass was presented the Red Auerbach Award prior to the game by Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca and Bob Epstein. Bass and Green are the only two Celtics who played in every game this season.

The award is given to the player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a true Celtic through performance on and off the court, and is named after the late, legendary coach, general manager and president of the Celtics.

"He's as good of a pro as we have," Stevens said. "He shows up every day. He's the first one to the gym on the road. He's the first one to the gym at home. He takes care of his body as well or better than any of our players."

Paul Pierce won the first Red Auerbach Award in 2006 and again in 2012. Kevin Garnett won in 2008 and 2013. Other winners were: Al Jefferson (2007), Ray Allen (2009), Rondo (2010) and Doc Rivers (2011).

Locals win from line

Wachusett Regional sophomore Tyler Dion and Tahanto Regional sophomore Mary Kate O'Day finished as the top boy and girl in the Red Auerbach Youth Foundation Free-Throw Championships at the Garden prior to the game.

Dion sank 29 of 30 attempts and O'Day sank 28 of 30.

Contact Bill Doyle at wdoyle@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillDoyle15.